Tell Me About Your Laptop/PC? (screen, Toshiba, HP, app)

[Konraden]

Helios (Previous names have included Thor, Beowulf, Odin, Zeus, Kraken, and Anubis).

Helios has been alive for roughly six months. I reinstall my OS every six months to a year, usually because a fresh-install is like a new-car smell. I've had the tower for a total of 4 years.

I've never had any virus\malware that have been crippling. My software setup keeps all that in check. Last year, my Foxconn mobo shorted and died. I bought a new mobo (Asus P5K series), new processor (upgrading to a dual core), and a 750W PSU. Three months later, I picked up a nVidia 9800 GT, also Asus.

Parting out my computer was probably the best thing I could do, but I don't recommend it to anyone without a sufficient knowledge of computer troubleshooting. There is no support if you decide to do this. Any problems you have are essentially yours to fix, or if you're lucky, you can find the problem on the internet.

However, I was able to build a machine that would normally cost 1500+ in just $800 (when I first built it). The later upgrades added just another $400 in parts. If I upgrade my machine every two years, I consider that a good investment for keeping up with high-powered games.

I run two partitions on my primary hard disk. The Windows XP install is "Helios." The Win 7 install is "Ormagoden," with my 1TB storage volume "Doviculus." I currently have a 500GB storage volume called "Stubbs the Zombie," after I dropped it, obliterting the partition information on it. After fixing it, I was excited to discover that the information was intact. It's a zombie drive, back from the dead.

[JayAppleBee]

I am totally amazed at how many people on here have built their own computers from scratch... this stuff is WAYY over my head. I prefer to go out and buy an already-manufactured laptop, thank you very much. lol But, I suppose this is a really good thing because the people who answer questions under this topic are extremely knowledgeable in the area and give excellent answers.

[scarmig]

Originally Posted by JayAppleBee

I am totally amazed at how many people on here have built their own computers from scratch... this stuff is WAYY over my head. I prefer to go out and buy an already-manufactured laptop, thank you very much. lol But, I suppose this is a really good thing because the people who answer questions under this topic are extremely knowledgeable in the area and give excellent answers.

Shoot, the stuff is dirty easy now compared to my first PC. Everything is 99% idiot proof to plug in, Tab A fits in Slot B, color-coded, self-identifying, self-configuring, whiz-bang, go Speed Racer.

You haven't really built a PC until you've spent an hour straightening pins on 'roach' memory, made the motherboard fit by using a hacksaw and metal shears, figured out video configuration modes by mapping out 256 possible dip stick/jumper combinations without a manual, or soldered a math co-processor onto the board based on third copy garage instructions.

Yep. Those were the days of 128kb of RAM and 8 mHz processor speeds.

[Konraden]

Originally Posted by scarmig

Shoot, the stuff is dirty easy now compared to my first PC. Everything is 99% idiot proof to plug in, Tab A fits in Slot B, color-coded, self-identifying, self-configuring, whiz-bang, go Speed Racer.

You haven't really built a PC until you've spent an hour straightening pins on 'roach' memory, made the motherboard fit by using a hacksaw and metal shears, figured out video configuration modes by mapping out 256 possible dip stick/jumper combinations without a manual, or soldered a math co-processor onto the board based on third copy garage instructions.

Yep. Those were the days of 128kb of RAM and 8 mHz processor speeds.

You old ****. Software is a little more complicated now, and people don't know code, and I'm starting to think basic troubleshooting skills, these days. Interfaces are meant to be idiot proof (and the engineers continue to underestimate the idiots), and those that don't know their way around the interface, including its nooks and crannies, find themselves in a heap of trouble.

Not a single person in my family could get a computer functioning correctly if it ever "took a crap" on them in some form.

[harhar]

My main PC is homebuilt (lets see if I can remember the specs)

Foxconn P-45A mobo
Intel dual core 7200 overclocked @ I think 3.0ghz
6GB DDR 800 ram
500GB HD + other old hard drives
Running Windows 7 64-bit ultimate (I got free from a Microsoft event!)
19" Hanns-g LCD
Nvidia 8800 GT 512mb card (fanless)
500w PS
cheap case
oh and a MOTU 8pre firewire audio interface
oh and my logitech mx512(?) mouse
logitech keyboard

I don't want to build an i5 or i7 if I don't have to. I just want to find a good deal on a Q9550 and stick with that for a while. Maybe an SSD boot/programs drive, and another monitor but I just don't have the desk space right now. :/

I have an old Compaq Presario 2500 (on its last legs) that has Ubuntu on it, and a new HP dv14(?) laptop. Also I have an older homebuilt AMD XP 3200+ that is at my parent's house collecting dust.

[Fishy]

i have all dells. they have served me well, tho i have had some problems. dell has promptly fixed them tho

my main comp is a dell xps 420 desktop. it has a q6600 2.4 ghz quad core cpu, 3 gb ram, 22" lcd, 8800gt 512mb gpu, and running win xp home. this is a workhouse. use for gaming, multimedia, and internet. i generally replace it every 3-4 years

i have a dell inspiron 1501 laptop that i dont use anyone more, anyone wanna buy it cheap?

i also have a dell mini 9 that i use for traveling or browsing the internet in bed

[tyvin]

I swear by Gateway and then ran into my new HP friend on sale.

I have the HP Pavilion Dv7-1426 nr 17" laptop (entertainment notebook).

Has everything (and, I can carry it around).

[JayAppleBee]

Lol, when I was talking about the name of the computer, I meant the brand of the computer... I didn't know that people literally would name their computers! lol But it's all good! Heck I think I'd name my own computer if I built the darn thing from scratch!

[mensaguy]

Originally Posted by JayAppleBee

Lol, when I was talking about the name of the computer, I meant the brand of the computer... I didn't know that people literally would name their computers! lol But it's all good! Heck I think I'd name my own computer if I built the darn thing from scratch!

Every computer running Windows has a name, whether you make use of it or not. (I think I'll call mine HAL 9000)

[Steel Man]

Originally Posted by mensaguy

Every computer running Windows has a name, whether you make use of it or not. (I think I'll call mine HAL 9000)

HAL: I know I've made some very poor decisions recently, but I can give you my complete assurance that my work will be back to normal. I've still got the greatest enthusiasm and confidence in the mission. And I want to help you.